The First Real 4th of July Picnic This Day in Country Music

The 4th of July means "Independence Day" for all of America. But in Texas, it also means Willie Nelson's 4th of July Picnic. A Texas tradition that carries on today.

2010 - Toby Keith performs "God Love Her," "How Do You Like Me Now?!" and "American Soldier" from the Charles River Esplanade in Boston on the CBS special "Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular".

1992 - Wynonna's "I Saw The Light" tops the Billboard country chart.

1986 - Lee Greenwood performs "God Bless The U.S.A." in the New York Harbor as the Queen Elizabeth II arrives from England to help celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty.

1985 - Willie Nelson's Fourth of July Picnic in Austin features the first live assembly of the Highwaymen: Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson. Also in the lineup are Neil Young, Hank Snow and June Carter Cash.

1981 - Barbara Mandrell's "I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool" goes to #1 on the Billboard country chart.

1976 - Johnny Cash celebrates the Bicentennial by ringing a replica of the Liberty Bell 200 times in Washington, D.C. Also participating in the event are vice president Nelson Rockefeller and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

1973 - Willie Nelson holds his first Fourth of July Picnic in Dripping Springs, Texas.

1970 - The Statler Brothers host the first "Happy Birthday U.S.A." concert in Staunton, Virginia, beginning a 25-year tradition.

1960 - Steel guitarist Teddy Carr born in Lafayette, Tennessee. He's a member of Ricochet when the band scores hits with "Daddy's Money" and "He Left A Lot To Be Desired," but quits in 2000 to spend more time at home.

1949 - Drummer-record producer James Stroud born in Shreveport, Louisiana. He plays on hits by Eddie Rabbitt, Conway Twitty and Eddy Raven, and produces Clint Black, Chris Young, Clay Walker, Toby Keith and Tim McGraw, among others.